Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Faculty mentor: Munir Tanas, MD, associate professor, Department of Pathology, Carver College of Medicine
Degree program and anticipated graduation date: PhD in cancer biology, July 2025

Sarcomas are a diverse group of difficult-to-treat cancers with few effective therapies. Ali Khan is working to identify novel therapeutic approaches for these rare cancers. He focuses on elucidating how mutated signaling pathways, including PI3K kinase signaling, activate in sarcomas, and identifying their downstream effects. Mutated pathways also play a crucial role in other cancer types, including breast, lung, colon, and ovarian cancers. By exploring how these pathways contribute to tumor growth and metastasis, his work will help identify potential therapeutic targets for the signaling pathways, improving care for patients with sarcomas and other forms of cancer.

Khan’s career goal is to become a physician, with a focus on integrating research into clinical practice. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school, where he aims to explore different fields of medicine and combine his passion for patient care with research. Long-term, he aspires to advance health care through bench-to-bedside research, directly translating findings into improved treatment strategies for patients.

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